The Effects of Exercise Intensity on Cognition In Adults Age 18-45

Abstract

PURPOSE: Growing evidence suggests that moderate intensity continuous training (MICE) appears to improve cognition function. Physical activity to improve cognitive function is thus strongly recommended, however evidence regarding the training intensity is still lacking. The purpose of this randomized study was therefore to assess the effects of a high intensity interval training (HIIT) compared to MICE, representing the same total training load, for improving cognitive functions in healthy adults. METHODS: Twenty-five participants exercised three times a week for 6 weeks after randomization to the HIIT or MICE training group. Target intensity was 60 % of maximal aerobic power (MAP) in the MICE group and 100% MAP in the HIIT group. A maximal graded test, a cognitive battery of paper tasks and a computerized Stroop task, were performed before and after the six weeks training program. RESULTS: After training, MAP increased significantly in both the HIIT and MICE groups (9% and 15 %, p<0.01). The cognitive results from this study showed that after 6 weeks of training HIIT was mainly associated to a greater improvement of overall reaction time in the executive components of the computerized Stroop task (980.43±128.97 ms vs 890.89±109.45 ms, p<0.01). Participants in the HIIT training also improved their test time in the executive component of the Trail test after 6 weeks of training (42.35±14.85 s vs 30.35±4.13 s, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Exercise intensity was clearly an important factor for improving executive functions in young adults. These findings may have important implications in designing effective training programs to help improve cognition in different populations.